Structure of a baseball

ABSTRACT

A baseball includes a core made of cork, a first rubber layer enclosing the core, a second rubber layer enclosing the first rubber layer, a PU layer enclosing the second rubber layer, an outer layer made of wool and/or synthetic threads wound around the PU layer, and a surface layer made of leather or synthetic material stitched on the outer layer, whereby the baseball can rapidly recover to its original shape and will produce a sharp sound which it is hit by the bat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention is related to an improvement in the structure of a baseball and in particular to one which can prolong the service life of the baseball.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Among the various kinds of ball sports, baseball is doubtless one of the most popular. The object of the two tears playing baseball is to hit the most runs. Runs are scored when a player safely touches the four bases which comprise a diamond appearance in the field. The fielding team uses the pitcher in association with other players strategically placed on the bases and around the field to defend the field as effectively as possible and prevent the other team from hitting the pitcher's balls and attempt to either catch the ball in mid-flight, tag the team with the ball before they reach the bases in the diamond.

[0005] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the conventional baseball includes a core 11, an intermediate layer 12, enclosing the core 11, an outer layer 13 enclosing the intermediate layer 12. The core 11 is made of a mixture of rubber and cork or completely made of cork. The intermediate layer 12 is made of wool and/or synthetic threads wound tightly around the core. The outer layer 13 is made of leather or synthetic material. This structure has long been used and can provide pitching and striking purposes. But as the intermediate layer 12 is made of cotton threads wound around the core 11, the intermediate layer can easily become deformed and soft. Furthermore, when the baseball is hit by a bat, an impact produced will cause the outer layer 13 to be forced into the intermediate layer 12 thereby causing a deformation. It takes a relatively long period of time for the baseball to recover its original shape. Moreover, upon being hit, the baseball will be immediately fielded by the defending side on the field, who will then pass the ball back to the pitcher and play will resume, and over a period of time the ball will be unable to resume its original shape due to the constant impact, making it necessary for a new ball to be used.

[0006] Furthermore, the impact on the intermediate layer 12 will be transmitted to the core 11, and because the core 11 is made of cork, the core 11 will be broken by continuous impact, so the ball cannot be used any longer.

[0007] Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement in the structure of a baseball which can obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This invention is related to an improvement in the structure of a baseball.

[0009] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved baseball which can rapidly recover to its original shape.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved baseball which will produce an audible, sharp sound when it is hit by the bat.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a baseball includes a core made of cork, a first rubber layer enclosing the core, a second rubber layer enclosing the first rubber layer, a PU layer enclosing the second rubber layer, an outer layer made of wool and/or synthetic threads wound around the PU layer, and a surface layer made of leather or synthetic material stitched on the outer layer, whereby the baseball can rapidly recover to its original shape and will produce a sharp sound which it is hit by the bat.

[0012] The foregoing object and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

[0013] Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art baseball;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the prior art baseball;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the prior art baseball;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of a baseball according to the present invention; and

[0018]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the baseball according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the baseball according to the present invention generally comprises a core 2 made of cork a first rubber layer 3 which includes two separate semi-spherical members having a clearance 31 therebetween, a second rubber layer 4 enclosing the first rubber layer 3 and having an inner flange going into the clearance 31 of the first rubber layer 3, a PU (polyurethane) layer 5 enclosing the second rubber layer 4, an outer layer 6 made of wool and/or synthetic threads wound around the PU layer 5, and a surface layer 7 made of leather or synthetic material and stitched on the outer layer 6.

[0021] The present invention is characterized in that there is a PU layer 5 mounted inside the outer layer 6 and the PU layer has better resilience than the outer layer 6 made of wool and/or synthetic threads and by means of the better resilience of the PU layer 5 in association with the outer layer 6 made of cotton threads, the impact produced when the baseball is hit by a bat will cause a recess as shown in the dotted line in FIG. 5. By means of the PU layer 5, the recess will rapidly recover to its original shape, thereby preventing the baseball from deforming for a long period of time, and enabling the baseball to be struck many more times.

[0022] The first rubber layer 3 and the second rubber layer 4 are also resilient. The first rubber layer 3 has the clearance 31 and the second rubber layer 4 has an inner flange going inside the clearance 31 to make the first and second rubber layers 3 and 4 closely engage together, thereby forming a protecting layer for the baseball. The rubber layers 3 and 4 can prevent the core 2 from breaking in the impact. This can effectively extend the service life of the baseball.

[0023] Furthermore, the first rubber layer 3 and the second rubber layer 4 in association with the PU layer 5 and the wool and/or synthetic thread layer 6, will enable the baseball to produce an audible, sharp sound when it is hit by the bat.

[0024] The PU layer has a hardness of 50-100 shore A, a thickness of 5-20 mm, and a weight of 5-120 g.

[0025] It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

[0026] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 

I claim:
 1. A baseball comprising a core made of cork, a first rubber layer enclosing said core, a second rubber layer enclosing said first rubber layer, a PU layer enclosing said second rubber layer, an outer layer made of wool and/or synthetic threads wound around said PU layer, and a surface layer made of leather or synthetic material stitched on said outer layer.
 2. The baseball as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first rubber layer includes two separate semi-spherical members between which there is a clearance, and said second rubber layer has an inner flange going into said clearance thereby engaging said first and second rubber layers together.
 3. The baseball as claimed in claim 1, wherein said PU layer has a hardness of 50-100 shore A.
 4. The baseball as claimed in claim 1, wherein said PU layer has a thickness of 5-20 mm.
 5. The baseball as claimed in claim 1, wherein said PU layer has a weight of 5-120 g. 